July 24, 1974, Donny Osmond & Me

Today was the day, in that galaxy far far away, known as the 20th Century, I met Mr.Teen Idol King himself--Donny Osmond--for the very first time--sorta.  Yep. Somehow I talked my Sweet Big Daddy Don to take me to for a four night, three night stay in Las Vegas, so I could see The Osmond Brothers. Their younger sister Marie had just started performing with them too. 
***After some prodding, and I'm sure pouting on my part, Dad agreed.  He thought my ten year older than me cousin Jan could come along-sort of another female for me to hang with. Dad wasn't sure what we were getting into. Heck, me being the Osmond fan, all I cared about was seeing the Osmonds perform, for just my second time--and >gasp< MEET them? The teen magazine bible at the time, Tiger Beat, showed pictures of lucky girls who got their Deep Purple moment to meet them--plus I was really in the pen pal circuit then.
***Any of you have pen pals?  Ya know, we actually wrote letters, put stamps on them, and snail mailed them. About 99% of my worldwide 100 pen pals were also Osmond fans and even most of them had met Alan, Wayne, Merrill, Jay and just about everybody's hearthrob, Donny. I was bound and determined to be  part of the elite group too.
***OK, back to the story--The Osmonds were performing at the Tropicana. Due to some convention or something, the hotel was booked. Dad, Jan and I stayed down the street at the Hacienda--which had a leak in the ceiling hallway. Dad wanted me to stay with him and my cousin--I wanted to go to the Tropicana. I won.  We did breakfast at the Tropicana, on the 24th, and all I could think of is I wanna meet an Osmond....and I'm sure my Dad looked at those menu prices and wondered if a McDonald's was near by...
*******As we came out of the Tropicana  restaurant, Dad wanted to do something silly, like sight see--while I wanted to might see some Osmonds. I did know Dad wasn't feelin' that so something had to happen and quick otherwise I might be banished to the Hoover Dam. As if God heard my prayers, a fellow teenage girl asked me who I was and I told her. She began to smile and told me to look in this thick scrapbook on her lap.
******I saw a picture of ME and a short note I wrote to the Osmonds!  This other teenage girl was named Bonnie. She'd written me a few months prior, saying she was going to be Las Vegas for the Osmonds. Bonnie planned to give them a scrapbook filled with their fans and would I want to contribute?  Never, ever thinking I would meet her (Bonnie lived out East) now here she was! Bonnie, her sister (I have forgotten her name) and a few other teenage girls were waiting in the hallway, outside the restaurant. Bonnie said this spot was a great place to meet the Osmonds---they did have to eat. My eyes widened and I looked at Dad.  I'm sure he panicked. I wasn't even close to 21, this was before Las Vegas was kid friendly, and I wanted to be left at this hu-mungus hotel for as he said "a bunch of white boys."  I know Dad was about to say No. And he really probably should have---but something happened. Not sure exactly what.
***Maybe Bonnie's parents said something to reassure him. I do remember them talking. After what seemed like forever, Dad said I could stay, but I had to stay around Bonnie and her family. I had to be back at the Hacienda by such and such a time because we were going to see the Osmonds perform that night. Dad gave me taxi money and hesitantly left me there, only after I spotted my first Osmond--the eldest, Alan and his wife Suzanne. They had been married so far, at that time, a grand total of eight days.I got my picture snapped with him. Girls were going nuts, flashing cameras (way before digital) and all--I knew then I wasn't in Iowa anymore.
*****Then as if on cue, Wayne Osmond walked thru--hysteria again. I got my photo op with Wayne too.  I could not believe my good fortune!  I don't know how long we waited--minutes, an hour or so--I don't remember, and my diary doesn't tell me---SCREAMS. Some so high pitched only dogs could hear them--Girls were pushing each other. SCREAMS. Tears and why?

********Donny. DONNY.  I froze. The security guard stuck to Donny like glue. I took as many pictures as my little box 126 camera could take--- The guard let a couple girls get close to have their picture taken with Donny. That alone made the hysteria get even worse. The guard took Donny's arm and began to lead him away. I tried to get my picture with him, as the guard led Donny away. No luck. I did get Donny's autograph but no picture to really prove Donny and I occupied the same space. I was downtrodden for awhile until....

May 17, 1924 was Saturday

My Big Daddy Don was born on this day.
Intimidated some, yet gentle as a teddy bear.
Oh, my Daddy loved his King Edward cigars and
Johnny Walker Red or Black (he wasn't prejudiced!) scotch and
Chit'lins and liver and onions and
Pineapple Malts from our local ice cream shoppe...

He loved his Iowa Hawkeyes, wore his Hawkeye jacket proud
(it hangs in my closet)
And loved The Andy Griffith Show and his Western Channel
Oh, Daddy loved to fish night or day or both-
He loved to send me at least a dozen birthday cards
And could iron and fold clothes better than anybody
Daddy loved to fry up some good ol Iowa pork chops
Or flip pancakes on a Sunday morning-
My Daddy loved to call me on Saturdays by 10 AM
Just to "see what I was doin'
He even loved to tell people about me and those OSMONDS
And he loved my cats, even when they ate step mother's birds...
Ahh, Dad loved when I said I was 'on my way' as I drove from
Dallas to home. Usually 750 miles with only cats for company
He sat in his chair, in the front room-to wait and worry
Until I pulled up in the drive way
He always breathed a sigh of relief
And then he'd laugh as cats scattered about-
I love to remember his hugs
Especially on this day, because
I know how much my Daddy loved me...

..and I loved him..
Happy Birthday, Daddy--
It's been 10 years since you've been gone--
At time it seems like a blink of an eye...

April 20, 2003 was Easter Sunday

In essence this coming Easter Sunday is an anniversary of sorts. My steps into a church. Steps I wanted to take and not steps parents pushed me to. Or even being the biggest Osmond Brothers fan and take seat in a LDS ward to listen to the Osmonds share their testimonies.

Yea, I wasn't feelin' the whole God thing back then. Hey, I admit I'd make fun of folks and call them 'holy rollers'. Why would anybody give up sleepin' in late and then --EEKS--miss NFL football--for CHURCH? Naw. Wasn't part of my plan. Hangovers had to be recovered from, pizza to be bought, wondered how quick Friday could roll around again to see if the guy I slept with remembered my number.

Yea. God, church and me. Not BFF's. I had too much other stuff to do.

In 2003 life was topsy turvy. I still grieved the death my dad, Big Daddy Don in '01. I'd get an e-mail from the lawyer saying I had to pay this and pay that. Dad, unfortunately died without insurance--which I didn't didn't know until after he passed. I guess, I should have kept on him about such things, yet I thought my step mother had a handle on it. She didn't. My fault I didn't talk to her--so long story on all that. I eventually was minus 12 grand.

My work situation was horrendous. I experienced the sensation of a boss trying to find something to get me fired. Why? Gotta ask her. My boss wound up being my boss due to a reorganization. This happened right after I was promoted, that job--a dream job--lasted 4 months, before the re-org. I wasn't able to stay. I won't bore with everything. From working together literally 6 working days, my new boss wrote me up because she 'saw things'. When I asked what, she couldn't answer--then to my birthday week in April, and another week before Easter 2003, she wrote me up not once--but twice. The last accusing me of gambling on company time. When I asked her HOW I did that, she had no actual proof. I proved her wrong on what she did have.

That was Thursday, the day before Good Friday 2003. Earlier in April something just popped into my head, "Go to church." I'm like "Huh?" and poo poo'd that off. CHURCH?
After the chat with my boss, I went straight to a co-worker who earlier told me about a church pretty much in my own back yard. She'd printed off directions because she knew I would be back. She said God told her. OK. Yea. OK.

I didn't drive past that night. Scared I think. So I waited for the next day. Good Friday. I couldn't even drive in the lot,. I just parked in front of the church. I remember saying, "I'm going to THAT?" Chills thru my body. I really wanted to go IN.

Eager for Sunday. I'd purchased a bible. Acted like I knew what I was.
Then on Easter, which is Resurrection Sunday, I got up on the day Jesus died.
And journeyed to my first, I really want to be here church service-
Chills
They have yet to stop...
I am blessed.

Easter II

Easter Sunday is Resurrection Sunday and the day I began my Spiritual Journey.

It was Easter Sunday 2003, I set foot in a church that had nothing to do with a wedding or mainly listening to Donny Osmond give his testimony. Yep, there was a point in time I research to be a Mormon--like back in the 70's. So, the only reason I was in a church prior to that day in 2003, was because of the Osmonds. Granted, it wasn't a bad reason. It just wasn't the right reason for me. There was void in my life--and it had to get filled.

OK, the whole point of this is, I'd pretty much decided to go to the church where I started my spiritual journey: Christian Chapel Temple of Faith CME. I hadn't been there since November 2008. I felt 'hungry' after more services than I liked. More Sundays, I wanted 'more' from the sermon. In fact, I'd leave Christian Chapel when service was done, and head to Inspiring Body of Christ Church, with Pastor Rickie Rush--which had 3 services then. That is, until the move to the new sanctuary in November 2010. Sure, there were Sundays I felt I O'D attending both services--yet I'd feel better. I realized I'd rather get more from The Word than not enough.

Even yesterday, I ran into a member, of Christian Chapel in the grocery store. In a part of town, I don't even live anymore. We hugged. It was grand to see her--and she said she'd even save 'my spot' in the sanctuary. Told her I was thinking about coming for a visit. She glowed and I was pretty sure I was gonna do it. When I came home, I was confused. Not sure where to go.

I wanted to see the church where all this started. Heck, I could miss a Sunday at IBOC. I wanted to sit in the pews and remember how I felt on that first Easter Sunday--oh man, I was so petrified that day in 2003. I carried a bible I'd purchased at Half Price Books, just for this church moment. I had yet to open it. Me? Church? HA!

Easter Sunday morning 2010. I woke up. Thanked God for the breath in my lungs and went to IBOC. No hesitation. Just got up and went. Other Christians may get the struggle I had yesterday. There was none today. I sat in a seat and within five minutes I heard a familiar voice.

Bear. My mouth dropped. At IBOC, right before service starts, ushers lead groups of the attendees in a circle of prayer. This is the first Sunday I'd ever been in a group where Bear said the prayer. In fact, it's the first time I've heard Bear say prayer--outside of grace over food. By the time Bear began our groups' prayer he'd seen me and waved. We hugged after service was over. One of these days I may need to ask him what goes through his mind at those moments.

Journeyed long since that Easter Sunday in 2003. I realized when another usher called me "a true Woman of God; " today-no where, before in my life, did I ever think such words would surge electricity in me--more than any other compliment.

Got more mountains to climb. And I realize some people in my life are not really getting where I'm going. I can deal with that.

I know a Light shows me the way.

And I'm OK with that.

Donny Danced!

To win Dancing With The Stars Trophy! How cool is that? Plus, Donny sang, "Puppy Love"--a song I really did hate until Donny's voice changed! Kid you not.

I was sure of that after last night's free-style. It was Mya's trophy to lose, until the free-style. Kinda feel for her, yet not really. Kelly grew, and I admire that. I'm sure Daddy Ozzy was mush watching his baby girl grace across the floor.

But the night was for Osmonds and Osmonds only. Donny got his wife, Debbie, and her carried onto the floor. His kids. Sister Marie and who knows WHO else, surrounded them. Donny proved you can turn 52 on December 9, be a grandfather and out do two ladies that could be your daughters! Yep-it was Donny's night!

For me, to watch from the comfort of my own home. In my bed actually, under the covers in my purple jammies--instead of like yester-decade as a teenager, lingering in a service elevator-hours on end--just to catch a glimpse of an Osmond. As of tonight, I am more confident Donny ignores the AARP membership invites that turn up in the mail.

Just like I do.

Congrats to YOU, Donny!

Monday Muse

Once again, I question on taking an undetermined hiatus from this blog.

And I enjoy doing the blog.

However, my hits aren't as they were. Not giving what readers, I do have, what they want to read.

As much as grew up, followed the Osmonds, yet still rocked in the 70's, partied like it was 1999 in the 80's, thought I was a true adult in the '90, however I realized I'd not completed as much as I thought I woulda done by now in the 2000's--so what to do?

Write about just my survival of open-heart surgery or being born with microtia (born without an ear--in my case, I do not have a left ear) or being half a century with no husband or kids (which I miss not having) or the desire to produce a play from my own words, dance, sing, and play piano or the loss of my mom when I was 13 and being an only child at that?

Hmm. I've done that-only not every day.

Maybe I should? But which one? I'm open for suggestions.

However, since I've biked and treadmilled, must take trash to the curb, contemplate washing the dishes, pet a cat, chow a salad so my coumadin stays in check, watch "The Closer" and get on my knees and thank God for this life.

Stay tuned.

I am blessed.

Saturday December Day in Dallas

For my chums in Iowa and parts North, it may be 61 degrees today. Just to rub that in.

Also I have watermelon in my fridge. Not sure where it was grown. Not too tasty Summer Sweet, yet there's still some crunch and munch there. Makes me happy.

Then there's Tom Jones. Yes, 68 year old "What's New Pussycat?" Tom Jones. I got around to watching his performance on Leno from the other night. I read the rave review of his new CD '24 Hours' last week. My thought, "Really?" My memory of Tom Jones is my mom, aunts and other females in her demograpic, camped out around the TV when his variety show came on. Hooped and hollered they did.

Then fast forward: 1975 and the Great Allentown Fair, in Allentown, PA. Tom Jones performed there, as were the Osmonds, later on that week. Females, including myself, were lined from the elevator door to the car that waited for him, outside the Sheraton. We all wanted to get a glimpse of him. My 17 yr old lips got glimpsed 4 times. Then sometime in the 80's, Tom held concert in Des Moines, Iowa. He was good, yet...there was just something not that filled with zip. Honestly, I kind of wrote him off. His time had passed--that sort of thing.

Well, then 2008 and I watch Leno. My mouth drops. "THAT's Tom Jones???! I've determined Tom Jones drinks from the same fountain as Tina Turner. The song is "I'm Alive." Tom Jones proves he is. And, now if you will excuse me, I need to go and buy me a CD--one that's not on the clearance rack at Wal-mart. I got some hoopin' and hollerin' to do.

Tis Friday-What are you doin' Tonight?

ahhh....it's finally here! We can wear t-shirts and jerseys to work today of our favorite teams. Nope, I didn't don a Cowboy shirt, yet I do have on a t-shirt displaying my hometown highschool's mascot: the Bluejays. :)

So as I head out, cats fed, box cleaned, birds happy and just joyful--let's put on a song that some might think "I knew it!" It's a real young Donny Osmond and his brothers, asking us, "Whatta ya doing tonight?" Hmm. I bet Barack Obama wonders that same question about John McCain. Debate or no debate. Nonetheless, cue the tune!

Friday and The Osmonds

Since I announced Donny Osmond was not my original favorite Osmond, the response from folks has been, "WHAT?!?!?"

Gotta be honest, I wasn't that thrilled with Donny's voice UNTIL The 12th of Never. What I mean is---that song, I first heard on a Sunday night years ago, was the first song after Donny's voice changed. Yep. Being honest. However until then and even know--the first to have my heart was older brother Merrill Osmond. He's the only Osmond who ever called me by my first name. OK-granted, I wrote it in a note and gave it to him. And the next time Merrill saw me--he whispered it. I nearly passed out--yet I digress. :)

The top picture is from Vegas '76. After a midnight show and in the service elevator. The bottom picture was from August '76 in Ft Washington, Pa. He and Alan had just come from a walk. Very gracious!

Thank you is all that I can say.

It's Friday. Say our prayers for those in the path of Hurricane Ike.

Donny Osmond...Encore

Last night watched the Pioneer Days Concert on the BYU channel. Clueless I even had the BYU channel. Beauty of having over 200 channels—a surprise everyday—I digress—back to last night--I sat speechless. It was LIVE. It was NOW. It was 2008, not 1978—when I flew to Salt Lake City. I was going to help celebrate a girl’s birthday in the Osmonds’ Studio Green Room in Provo. We hoped Donny would surprise her (and us) by coming in for a moment.

Had to change planes in Denver. As I entered the plane and located my seat, I almost passed out because it was behind Alan and Jimmy Osmond. My eyes and Alan’s met. The guy, who sat in that row’s aisle seat, didn’t know who they were. Alan schooled the guy about their family and history. I stared at the garment bag, which hung with “Osmond” written on the front. Once we landed in Salt Lake City, the flight attendant took Alan and Jimmy off first. When I did off the plane, my friend asked, “Were you on THAT plane?”

Last night. Older. Grayer. Smiled just as broad as ever. Oh yea, and the Osmonds too. Through the years there was my Mom who asked if the Jackson 5 sang “One Bad Apple.” There was my first ever Osmond concert, Aug 21, 1973, Row 4, Section B, seats 11 & 12, if I’d reached up as Donny threw that infamous purple cap from the stage, it woulda been mine! It sailed to the girl directly behind me. And the time we drove all night from Allentown, PA to Norfolk, VA. We crossed the Chesapeake Bay Bridge on fumes. And from Norfolk, we headed to Washington DC. After being checked in the DC hotel for about an hour or so, we spotted Donny walking toward a tour bus—alone. We got pictures, plus a chat. Donny also informed us they were heading to Allentown (really Ft Washington, PA) right after the concert. So we checked right out of the hotel and back to Allentown, from wince this adventure started.

Through the years Donny was here in Dallas, to promote “Pyramid”. We bantered from the stage. Told him I really didn’t like him until his voice changed. He took the mic away from me. We all laughed. Or after a Dallas radio interview, Donny asked if I had a car to get him to the next place because his driver was nowhere to be found. I panicked more because I had Doritos crumbs all over my car floor. Donny’s driver showed in the nick of time.

Last night. Where did the time go? When did time fast forward from me being 16 to a offer to get an AARP membership? The Osmonds weren’t the Jackson 5—even tho I thought Jermaine was cute. The Osmonds seemed more accessible for me. That could be a whole ‘nother post—sometime. Not now. Right now, I just want to remember through all those years, the memories of people, places and things.

I’d do it ALL again.

Oh, and did Donny show, in the Green Room for the girl’s birthday party? Yep. The picture above is from that day.

Donny Osmond, Las Vegas and Me...

Last night, Donny Osmond and his sister Marie, finished a stint at the MGM Grand, in Las Vegas. I shoulda been there. I gander around this house, sigh at the electric bill, smile at the new car in the driveway and wonder if I can lift the 50 lb bag of Tidy Cat litter in the utility room—that’s why I’m still here in Dallas.


In the midst, I do smile. Because of the Osmonds, this was before Donny and Marie became Donny and Marie, I experienced my first ever plane ride. That destination on July 23, 1974 was from Des Moines, Iowa to Las Vegas. My Dear Dad explained, as the plane flew thousand of feet above the Earth, I wouldn’t feel as if we were even moving. He was right, until we hit a bit of turbulence—then that didn’t seem as bad.


The Osmonds performed at the Tropicana, yet we couldn’t stay there due to some convention or some such. So we were down the street at the Hacienda. It was all bright lights and big city to a girl from small town Iowa. Nonetheless, because of the Osmond’s I saw my first pair of platform shoes. They actually had sequins on the platforms! Oh MY! Sequins….ON shoes??

The morning of the July 24th, 1974 my Dear Dad took us to breakfast at the Tropicana. I just know there had to be an Osmond somewhere. I didn’t care about seeing any of Las Vegas. Which was a good thing because this was way before it became ‘family friendly. After breakfast, as we began to leave the restaurant, a girl came up and asked my name. Turns out I’d sent her a picture to put in a scrapbook she planned to give the Osmonds. In about two minutes I asked Dear Dad if I could hang with her and her sister. There was also a small group of girls that sat and waited. Dear Dad hesitated, and then agreed. I think one of the girls’ moms was there and reassured him.

That was the end of just posters on the wall tacked up by dreams to the beginning of dreams come true—Osmond style. Just to get an autograph wasn’t enough. Oh no, I learned during that first jaunt to Las Vegas, that a picture with an Osmond was the ultimate-especially with Donny. About 15 minutes after my Dear Dad left exited, my first picture snapped with an Osmond: Alan and his bride of eight days, Suzanne happened. That picture became one of the hundred of personal Osmond pictures through the decades.

July 24th, 1974, I witnessed my first ever Las Vegas show. Dear Dad tipped the maitre’d$40. The maitre’d led us to seats up front, which sat at the bottom of a few steps. The steps were against the stage. Butterflies flapped inside my tummy. I was going to see the Osmonds for my second time and in Las Vegas to boot. The maitre’d announced as he pulled the chairs from the table, “These are the best in the house.”

The guy was right.

Before a particular song started which I’ve forgotten, maybe “Puppy Love,” all these girls crowded around the bottom of the steps. Right around me. I was clueless. WHY? Then it happened. Donny began to sing. The girls started to scream. I didn’t. Then Donny came to those steps and walked down a few. Pandemonium. Girls went nuts. They reached for him. I did too. He took my hand and squeezed it. I looked into his eyes. The closest my 16 year old self got to Heaven.

The best $40 bucks my Dear Dad ever spent-at that moment, anyway....

We left Las Vegas on July 26. Heartsick. Sure, I tried to talk Dear Dad into staying longer. Nope. Las Vegas presented me with the memories of having my picture snapped with each Osmond—including Donny. I was bummed when it was developed and the picture was fuzzy. At that time, I didn’t know I would visit Las Vegas three more times before the 70’s ended. A better picture with Donny would be had.

Las Vegas gifted me with friendships that continue to this day. I met these girls, from Allentown, Pennsylvania, who took a bus from their home to Las Vegas. We waited, for Osmonds, in the hallway that led to the backstage door of the Tropicana. That next August, I visited those same girls in their Pennsylvania homes, so we could see the Osmonds at the Great Allentown Fair. Tasted my first funnel cake and perogie. Yep, BFF’s.

Because of the Osmonds, my memories are countless. Yep, I wish I woulda been at the MGM Grand for Donny and Marie in 2008. Aren’t they going to be at the Flamingo later on this year? Maybe it’s time I put my cats to work so they can earn their keep and I go make some new memories. Would be nice to re-visit the scene of the first crime. :) And with a digital camera, heck, I’ll know right then if the picture is fuzzy or not.

Ready for my close up.

The picture posted here is from the 30th floor of the Las Vegas Hilton, in 1977. We called it Heaven on the 30th floor. Six of us stashed away inside a bathroom until a server found us out. Miraculously, we got the chance to talk chat up Donny outside their suite---in the service hallway.

Yep—Dear Dad didn’t know what he started when he OK’d my first ever plane ride.

I am blessed.

Still some 70's stuff....

OK--so I'm taking another break from packing. I realize cats do NOT help.

For a moment, I'm back onto this 70's thing. For all you fellow Baby Boomer writers, there is a contest for your most memorable concert experience. Has a 500 word limit and due April 15--yep, tax day. I'll put the link here, which you might have to copy and paste into your browser.

http://www.nabbw.com/display_news.php?nid=12&PHPSESSID=3876cf689a18f5e6947a36ed71dc0716

Yes, yes...you know I'm thinking about my stint with the Osmonds. Folks have asked me--including my family--WHY? Well, first off, the Jackson 5 didn't come much through Iowa. The Osmonds seemed approachable, eventho I had no clue if that would ever meet them. I desired to meet middle brother Merrill--not Donny. I didn't get the whole hoopla about him. I mean, back then--his voice hadn't changed yet. So I can say, I wasn't a Puppy Lover.

However, around the mid 70's--that began to change. My dad's hard earned money went for air fare and hotels from Las Vegas to Pennsylvania was summer tradition for a few years. He hated I spent it--yet he loved telling folks about me 'and those Osmonds!' :) During the journeys, I seemed to have more access to Donny. We were close in age--and frankly I was about the only Bronze Goddess following them. During that 70's Hey Day, I called him "Good Lookin'--while he was on stage, and he would call be "Crazy"--as he stood on stage.

Yes, I ate it up. :) Friends I met in Las Vegas 1974, I still have. If not for the Osmonds, I doubt that friendship would have been planted. And yes, I know about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I took a few lessons, yet chose not to join.

The picture above is from May 1978 in Las Vegas., about eight days after Donny and his wife, Debbie married. This is one of the many memories I have. A good time. Good friends. And some silly things too--yet that's another post.

So when I'm asked--WHY? The Osmonds---I say, "Why not?"